[600Benz]

I don't see why anyone would want to get a FWD CLA 250 when for $3000 you can get the 4matic system, so why not?

I'd like to hear reasons why some people don't want 4matic.

 

[Wachowski]

Ive never had a problem with FWD. The purpose of having a car for me is just simple. I go A to B to work drive my kids to and from school. But 4matic AWD will be a security point for me and my family.

 

[brianch]

Ive never had a problem with FWD. The purpose of having a car for me is just simple. I go A to B to work drive my kids to and from school. But 4matic AWD will be a security point for me and my family.

^ this

Not everyone needs AWD. Some just want a simple car to get from point A to B in style.

I wouldn't be surprised if the FWD was faster than the AWD. Less drivetrain loss in the FWD.

 

[BenzinoXL]

Not every one but some swear by it that a AWD just provides with with more security compared to a FWD. If i were to put a ranking down for drivetrain the order would be RWD,AWD,then FWD. FWD vehicle are for those A to B commuters that dont need much.

FWD is at the bottom :b

 

[Mike T]

The Haldex system is FWD virtually all the time anyway.

 

[brianch]

In a regular situation it is always in FWD. It is only in extreme situations where traction is an issue (snow, ice, wet/slippery, aggressive driving) where the rear wheels will kick in.

So if you do the following:
-Driving in snow
-Driving on ice
-Drive in heavy rain
-Drive like a maniac

The AWD might be worth it.

 

[Mike T]

If you're looking for a car that doesn't FEEL like it's FWD, then the 4MATIC will not be the car to get. The balance won't be there due to the constant torque shifting when driving hard, with that 100-0% split default. For bad weather it should be fine, driven moderately. Driven hard it would probably be a handful. I've driven a few vehicles with a Haldex system and they're all similar in that respect.

 

[Giovanni S.]

Never knew it would be that compicated to pick a proper drivetrain. So your saying regardless the Awd will "feel" like a fwd car? I'm not sure now which one to go with. I'm from Quebec and when it snows down here it really comes down. So which one will be best to defeat the snowy terrain?

 

[Mike T]

For sure the 4WD will be better in snowy Québec, but a Subaru 4WD system will be better.

 

[brianch]

How do you think the CLA 45 AMG will do with the 4Matic system? I am sure they designed that car to be driven hard. I would be interested to see how that car handles at the extremes. I would assume it wouldn't be hard to plow into a turn and loose traction in the front tires while understeering. Now what happens next will make it interesting.

 

[Mike T]

That will be the main question, what's the basic setup in the AMG? With that kind of torque (450 Nm) the front wheels will be overwhelmed nearly always. And since the car uses a clutch pack instead of a Torsen or viscous coupling to move drive to the back, how often will that have to be replaced in a hard-driven car?

 

[brianch]

I agree. Which is why I am very curious how the CLA45AMG will manage that 4Matic system without blowing it up.

Either way I can't wait to drive one. I do like to drive the cars fast sometimes and I'd like the benefits of the 4Matic if it works well. I've driven Acuras new SHAWD system which is FWD bias and I found it was very good. When you start to understeer you can feel the power transfer to the rear and propel the car through the turn canceling out the understeer.

 

[tc_sting]

I've been talking to some people about the CLA and it seems like most car guys blow it off because its FWD.

Does that bother you at all?

Also for the 4Matic. Are the 4Matics usually rear wheel drive bias?

I'm assuming the CLA 4Matic will be FWD bias?

The difference between FWD and RWD is almost nonexistent with today's technology.

All cars now come with traction and stability control which aggressively take over handling and damping out things such as torque steer, momentum loss, and under or over steer.

It is unlikely consumers could even tell the difference between the two in a blind test.

Only historic sympathetic buyers could demand one type of drive over another as old cars did handle different based on where power was placed.

AWD is another matter due to the independent nature of performance when power can be decoupled from the traction and stability control systems which allows for superior handling during extremes though at a constant cost of efficiency and power over RWD and FWD counterparts.

Buyers should get the car that offers them the best utility and value over perceptions that are no longer appropriate in the 21st century.

 

[Giovanni S.]

will it matter if the AWD system is front wheel bad or rear wheel bias. which one is better to drive in snowy conditions. Not sure exactly how this bias system on awd works exactly with certain situations.

 

[brianch]

The difference between FWD and RWD is almost nonexistent with today's technology.

All cars now come with traction and stability control which aggressively take over handling and damping out things such as torque steer, momentum loss, and under or over steer.

It is unlikely consumers could even tell the difference between the two in a blind test.

Only historic sympathetic buyers could demand one type of drive over another as old cars did handle different based on where power was placed.

AWD is another matter due to the independent nature of performance when power can be decoupled from the traction and stability control systems which allows for superior handling during extremes though at a constant cost of efficiency and power over RWD and FWD counterparts.

Buyers should get the car that offers them the best utility and value over perceptions that are no longer appropriate in the 21st century.

I like your advice.

You should always get what seems to be the best value to you. Which brings the most utility and use to your lifestyle.

 

[CLAJoe]

To answer the original question, "Does the CLA being FWD bother me?," the answer is actually that it's what first interested me in the new model. All handling isn't on nice dry roads with good gripping surfaces. A lot of my driving here in central Maine is on slippery roads from November into April every year, and for that FWD easily beats RWD. I say that having driven FWD, RWD, and 4WD here over the years. FWD is almost as good on snow as 4WD if the vehicles are equipped with decent snow tires.

Sorry for the late jump-in here.. as we approach winter I definitely agree with @LennyR and it's definitely something that attracted me to the CLA in the first place being in the snow belt up here.

We're almost Nov LennyR so I hope you managed to get your new CLA and are ready with winter tires?

Joe

 

[sleepyhead]

FWD can be fun. While I personally enjoy RWD more than FWD, I'm not about to say no to a sports car just because it's FWD. Most hot hatches are FWD and they are more fun than any RWD Lexus or Infinity (or a 328i or C250 for that matter). And they are more practical. No one wants to drive a front engine, RWD car in inclement weather. Well, maybe if you've got a huge parking lot all to yourself.

 

[lisabenz]

FWD can be fun. While I personally enjoy RWD more than FWD, I'm not about to say no to a sports car just because it's FWD. Most hot hatches are FWD and they are more fun than any RWD Lexus or Infinity (or a 328i or C250 for that matter). And they are more practical. No one wants to drive a front engine, RWD car in inclement weather. Well, maybe if you've got a huge parking lot all to yourself.

I'm fortunate being somewhere warm, I wouldn't care fwd or awd, although most cars I've driven are awd. Friends driving Hondas always tell me I should go fwd and I tell them girlfriend, awd is fine, it's more fun. Girls like the rear power!


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Red Jupiter]

Answer to the question is NO. FWD does not bother me. Been driving only FWD for about 35 years.

 

[brianch]

From a regular person street driving standpoint

AWD RWD FWD.. All the same

When things get hairy? Wet, snow, cold, mud, crazy driving

Thats when the advantages and disadvantages start to show up.